Natural England’s decision last week to withdraw three general licences will also have a devastating impact on wildlife and crop production, said BASC, Britain’s largest shooting organisation.

BASC has compiled a briefing document – and sent it to MPS – detailing its concerns about England’s eight-day-old shooting ban, brought about by a legal challenge by Chris Packham’s Wildlife Justice group.

Among BASC’s chief concerns is that major sporting and events will not be able to operate within the terms of their safety certificates.

It cites fears by ground staff at stadia and arenas that they won’t be able deal with pest birds such as pigeons, whose droppings contain harmful micro-organisms.